Burlington councilman's daughter resigns from city job

The daughter of a Burlington city councilman resigned from her Recreation & Parks Department position in January, five months before she had to return to work after what would have been an 18-month leave of absence.

Michelle Taylor, daughter of City Councilman Bob Ward, resigned from her office assistant position Jan. 24, said Human Resources Director Aaron Noble. The city’s decision to grant Taylor an extended leave raised some questions because her father is on the council.

Taylor had taken a year’s leave of absence on Dec. 7, 2011, having been eligible to do so under Burlington’s “leave without pay” policy, which is separate from absences granted by the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

Taylor was granted an additional six-month extension by City Manager Harold Owen in December 2012, following a letter request her doctor sent to Recreation and Parks Director Tony Laws.

During Taylor’s absence, the department used a part-time employee to cover Taylor’s work. Now that Taylor has resigned, that same part-time employee has assumed Taylor’s full-time office assistant position, said Noble.

Noble said in her letter of resignation, Taylor said she was doing so in the best interest of the city, the Recreation & Parks Department, and herself.